


West Chester University's graduate program is the largest within the 14 Commonwealth-owned institutions of higher learning. Approximately 3,000 students now attend during the fall and spring semesters some 1,900 enroll for summer sessions. Graduate education at West Chester has grown remarkably since its introduction in 1959.

The Graduate School at WCU provides personalized support for the graduate student experience from admission to graduation that is flexible and responsive to our students and to the needs of the larger community. Currently, the university continues to thrive to provide the highest quality of education to its students.The mission of The Graduate School at WCU is to provide leadership to facilitate high quality graduate education that accommodates the needs of a diverse community of learners seeking academic advancement, career expansion and change, community engagement, and research expertise while also balancing the demands of everyday life.

Since its humble beginnings, WCU has flourished to become one of the top universities in Pennsylvania. It was initially owned by a private entity which has transformed into a public institution as there was an increase in demand to open more public education at that time. The university has a long and rich history that dates back to 1871. West Chester University of Pennsylvania, more commonly known as West Chester University (WCU), is a public institution that offers interdisciplinary educational programs at all levels.
